What happens if you drink tap water every day?

September 23, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the CDC, public water systems in the U.S. are among the safest in the world. So, what happens if you drink tap water every day, and what should you know to ensure your safety and reap the benefits?

Quick Summary

Drinking tap water daily is generally safe and healthy in most developed regions, providing essential hydration and minerals. The outcome largely depends on your local water quality, aging infrastructure, and individual health factors, highlighting the need for informed awareness.

Key Points

Safety Varies: Tap water safety depends heavily on your specific location, local infrastructure, and treatment process.
Benefits vs. Risks: The benefits of daily hydration and essential minerals must be weighed against potential risks from contaminants like lead or chlorine byproducts.
Informed is Best: Checking your local Consumer Confidence Report and even testing your own home's water is the most reliable way to know your water quality.
Filtering is an Option: If contaminants are a concern or for improved taste, various water filters offer an effective solution.
Aging Infrastructure is a Factor: Older homes with lead or copper pipes face a higher risk of heavy metal contamination.
Vulnerable Populations: Children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems may face greater health risks from certain water contaminants.

Is Your Daily Tap Water Safe?

For many, turning on the faucet for a glass of water is a simple and unconscious act. Yet, with ongoing conversations about aging infrastructure, environmental pollutants, and the ubiquity of bottled water, many people are left wondering: is my tap water truly safe? The truth is, the quality and potential health effects of drinking tap water every day vary widely by location. While public water systems in countries like the United States are heavily regulated and generally reliable, local factors can introduce potential concerns that consumers should be aware of.

The Health Benefits of Daily Tap Water

Drinking tap water daily offers several benefits. It provides essential hydration necessary for numerous bodily functions, including temperature regulation and nutrient transport. Tap water can also contain beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. Many systems add fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. Furthermore, tap water is a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option compared to bottled water, reducing plastic waste.

Potential Health Risks and Contaminants

While generally safe, tap water can contain contaminants from various sources.

Contaminants from Source and Treatment

Disinfectants used in water treatment can create byproducts like trihalomethanes, which may increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Agricultural and industrial runoff can introduce pesticides, herbicides, and nitrates, the latter being particularly harmful to infants. Some areas also have naturally high levels of substances like arsenic or radioactive materials.

Contaminants from Aging Pipes

Older plumbing systems, especially those with lead service lines or lead solder, can leach lead and copper into the water. Lead is a potent neurotoxin, posing significant risks, particularly to children and pregnant individuals.

Vulnerable Populations

Certain groups, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, may be more sensitive to contaminants in tap water.

Tap Water vs. Bottled Water: A Comprehensive Comparison


Feature	Tap Water (Municipal)	Bottled Water
Regulation	Regulated by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Requires regular testing and public reporting.	Regulated by the FDA (if sold across state lines). Less stringent testing and transparency requirements.
Cost	Significantly lower cost.	Extremely expensive, often thousands of times more per gallon.
Environmental Impact	Minimal, primarily related to local treatment and distribution. No single-use plastic waste.	High, due to plastic production, transportation, and waste disposal. Significant resource consumption.
Taste	Can vary due to mineral content or chlorine. Often comparable to bottled water in blind taste tests, especially when filtered.	Varies by brand and source. Many bottled waters are simply filtered tap water.
Microplastics	Lower risk, but not entirely free. Can be introduced via packaging or environmental pathways.	Higher risk. Studies have found microplastics in nearly all major bottled water brands, likely from the bottling process.

How to Ensure Your Tap Water is Safe

Check Your Water Quality Report: Obtain your local utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for details on your water source and tested contaminants.
Test Your Home's Water: Consider home testing, especially for lead, as contaminants can enter from your internal plumbing. For detailed analysis, use a state-certified lab.
Install a Water Filter: Filters can remove specific contaminants or improve taste. Options range from pitchers to whole-house systems.
Use Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking: Cold water is less likely to leach metals from pipes than hot water.
Flush Your Taps: Run the cold water tap for a minute or two, particularly after water has been stagnant in pipes.

Conclusion

For most people, drinking tap water daily is a safe and healthy choice. Staying informed about your local water quality through CCRs and testing is crucial. Addressing potential issues with filtration and following simple practices can ensure your tap water is both safe and beneficial. For additional information, consult the EPA's drinking water page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, tap water is not universally safe. While regulated water systems in developed countries are generally safe, water quality varies significantly by location. Factors like local infrastructure, aging pipes, and natural geology can affect the water that reaches your tap.

Common contaminants can include heavy metals like lead and copper from old pipes, disinfection byproducts like trihalomethanes, agricultural runoff chemicals such as nitrates, and naturally occurring elements like arsenic. Harmful microorganisms can also be a risk in some cases.

Yes. Aging plumbing, particularly lead service lines or pipes with lead solder, can leach toxic heavy metals into your drinking water. This is a significant concern for homes built before lead was banned from plumbing materials.

Not necessarily. Bottled water is regulated by the FDA, with less frequent testing and transparency than municipal tap water. In addition, bottled water has been found to contain microplastics and is far more expensive and environmentally damaging than tap water.

You can start by checking the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) provided annually by your local water utility. For a more personalized assessment, you can use a home testing kit or send a water sample to a certified lab to check for contaminants specific to your home.

Whether you need a filter depends on your local water quality and personal preference. If your CCR shows concerning levels of contaminants or you have older plumbing, a filter can provide peace of mind. Even if your water is safe, a filter can improve its taste.

Drinking tap water ensures proper hydration, which is essential for all bodily functions. It can also provide a small but beneficial amount of essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. In many areas, tap water also contains fluoride, which helps protect teeth from decay.

Boiling can kill harmful bacteria and viruses. However, it does not remove heavy metals like lead or chemicals like nitrates. In fact, boiling can sometimes concentrate these contaminants. Boiling should only be used as a purification method when specifically advised.